Ignition Advance
Ignition advance means firing the spark plug a set number of degrees before the piston reaches top dead centre.
What is Ignition Advance?
Advance generally increases with engine speed. Knock control reduces advance when knock is detected. It is shown in degrees in live data. Older engines used mechanical and vacuum advance in the distributor.
How it works
Combustion takes time, so firing early lets peak pressure occur just after top dead centre.
Why it matters for your car
Too much advance causes knock and can damage pistons. Too little advance wastes power and raises exhaust temperature.
Other terms
- Battery Charger (Smart Charger)
- Car Wax And Paint Sealant
- Chip Tuning (Engine Remapping)
- Compression Test
- Control Unit Coding
- Electric Power Steering (EPS)
- Emergency Stop
- Engine Mount
- Exhaust Flex Pipe
- Fuse
- Gas Strut (Gas Spring)
- Glow Plug Control Module
- Headlight Washer
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
- Master Cylinder
- Plus Sizing (Larger Wheels)
- Roof Rails
- Spaceframe Chassis
- Tow Eye (Towing Hook)
- Tyre Noise (Rolling Noise)